April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about stress and help people find the support they need.
One practical way we can all support our communities is by making it easier for people to find local services quickly and easily.
The Essex Map (www.essexmap.co.uk) is a free online directory that helps residents, professionals and community organisations discover services across Essex that support health, wellbeing, community connection and more.
We would love your help to make the map even more useful during Stress Awareness Month.
How you can get involved:
• Promote the Essex Map to people you support so they can find local help and resources when they need it.
• Add your organisation or service to the map so more people can find the support you provide.
• Share the map with colleagues and partners to help grow the network of support across Essex.
The more organisations that are listed, the easier it becomes for people experiencing stress or other challenges to find the right support at the right time.
Every year on World Autism Awareness Day (2 April), communities around the world come together to raise awareness, promote understanding, and celebrate autistic people. The day encourages us to move beyond awareness and focus on acceptance, inclusion, and meaningful support for autistic individuals and their families.
At The Essex Alliance we believe that access to the right support, information, and community connections can make a huge difference. That’s why we’re encouraging organisations across Essex to take part by sharing their services and connecting with others through the Essex Map.
Helping People Find Support in Essex
The Essex Map is a free online directory designed to help people easily find local services, support groups, activities, and organisations across Essex.
For autistic individuals, parents, carers, and families, finding the right support can sometimes feel overwhelming.
The Essex Map brings together services in one place so people can quickly discover:
Autism support groups
Parent and carer networks
Specialist services and organisations
Inclusive activities and community groups
Advice and wellbeing support
By making these services more visible, we help ensure that people across Essex can access the help and community they need.
Do You Offer Autism Support?
As part of World Autism Awareness Day, we are inviting organisations across Essex to join the map.
If your group or organisation offers:
Autism support services
Inclusive activities
Advice or guidance for families
Community groups or peer support
we would love to include you. Being listed helps ensure that individuals and families who are searching for support can find your organisation quickly and easily.
The Essex Map isn’t just for organisations—it’s also a valuable tool for anyone looking for help, connection, or community.
Whether you are an autistic person, a parent, a carer, or a professional supporting someone else, you can use the map to discover local services and supportive communities across Essex.
Working Together for Acceptance
World Autism Awareness Day reminds us that creating inclusive communities requires collaboration, understanding, and visibility. By sharing services and connecting organisations through The Essex Map, we can help ensure that no one in Essex has to search alone for the support they need.
The Essex Alliance are sharing this event on behalf of Parents 1st.
Are you a new parent? Are you expecting soon? Then why not come and join Parents 1st at our Couples Coffee Connections morning?
Bring your little ones along for a play (0-5 year olds welcome) and meet other parents or parents-to-be from your area.
Our local Thurrock peer supporters will be on hand for a chat and to let you know how Parents 1st can help you on your parenting journey. We’ll even be providing hot drinks and a croissant!
Where? Tilbury Family Hub, Anchor Field, London Road, Tilbury, RM18 8EY
You don’t have to do it alone ❤️ Discover local stop-smoking support groups, wellbeing services and community help near you with Essex Map.
Your healthier future could start today. 🔎 Find support near you: www.essexmap.co.uk
Helping people live healthier lives in Essex? Join Essex Map – it’s free to list your group or service and reach those who need your support. email: communications@essexalliance.org.uk
Across Essex, incredible women are leading groups, running services, supporting families, championing wellbeing and creating safe spaces for others to thrive — and you can find them all in one place on 👉 https://www.essexmap.co.uk/
The Essex Map is a free directory designed to help residents discover local community groups, charities and activities that make a real difference — not for profit, but for people.
✨ Looking for a women’s support group? ✨ Want to meet like-minded people? ✨ Ready to promote a group you run?
Let’s make women’s voices, spaces and achievements more visible this #InternationalWomensDay
🔎 Explore 📍 Connect 📣 Add your group – email: communications@essexalliance.org.uk
Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News
If your website isn’t accessible, you could be unintentionally shutting people out.
Accessibility isn’t just a technical requirement – it’s about making sure everyone can use and benefit from your website, including people with disabilities, older users, and those accessing services in different ways.
To help organisations take practical steps towards more inclusive digital spaces, Few and Far® are hosting a free webinar: “A Web for All.” on Wednesday 11th March 2026 at 11am.
What the webinar will cover
This two-hour session focuses on simple, practical ways to improve the accessibility and usability of your website. Rather than theory or jargon, the webinar will provide clear guidance and tools that you can start using straight away.
Topics will include:
Practical steps to improve website accessibility
Common barriers that prevent people from using websites
Tools and techniques to help you assess and improve your site
Realistic changes you can make without needing major redevelopment
Who should attend?
This webinar is ideal for:
Organisations responsible for managing a website
Communications and marketing teams
Community groups and charities
Anyone interested in making their online services more inclusive
Looking for a cosy weekend activity? Harlow Library are hosting Screentime Free Film Club every Saturday from 2pm – 4pm in the ACL Classrooms.
No need to book, and refreshments available at a small charge. Perfect for a relaxed Saturday afternoon.
Films showing include:
Saturday 28th February – Compañeros (1970)
Spaghetti Western with great Morricone soundtrack. Two men form an uneasy alliance rescue a pacifist professor and seize a fortune during the Mexican Revolution. English, 2hrs long.
Saturday 7th March – Belle de Jour (1967)
A wealthy yet emotionally repressed young housewife spends her afternoons secretly working in a high-class brothel. Gorgeous surreal film with costumes by Yves Saint Laurent. French with English subtitles, 1hr 40 mins long.
Saturday 14th March – Deep Red (1975)
An English pianist in Rome gets embroiled in a dangerous investigation after witnessing the brutal murder of a psychic, teaming up with a journalist to track down the serial killer. Italian with English subtitles, 2hrs long.
Saturday 21st March – The Smoking Fish (1977)
A cunning madam maintains control over her Caracas bordello, even as she manages, rotates and manipulates lovers and henchmen who vie for power with her operation. Spanish with English subtitles, 2hrs long.
Saturday 28th March – The Flesh and the Fiends (1960)
In 19th-century Edinburgh, an anatomist purchases fresh corpses from the notorious grave-robbing duo Burke and Hare. English, 1hr 40 mins long.
Saturday 4th April – The Yellow Teddy Bears (1963)
British social drama, with scenes filmed in Harlow swimming pool and good 60s style music. A group of schoolgirls wear a badge to show off their experience with men; Linda, their leader, fears she may be pregnant. English, 1hr 30 mins long.
Saturday 11th April – The Vagabond, Part 1 (1951)
Bollywood musical with ‘heaven and hell’ showstopper. A slum-dwelling thief falls for a privileged lawyer but unbeknownst to him, the judge presiding over his case is his estranged father. Hindi with English subtitles, 2hr 50 – this film will be shown in parts across two weeks.
Saturday 18th April – The Vagabond, Part 2
📍 Location: Harlow Central Library 🆓 Entry: Free (no booking required) ☕ Extras: Snacks & soft drinks available for a small charge
For the full programme, including film descriptions, see here: Film Programme
Mind in Havering, Barking and Dagenham are pleased to announce Essex Summer Fest!
Taking place at Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch, on Saturday 11th July, the Essex Summer Fest promises live music, a bar, fun fair, silent disco and more!
For more information, go to www.essexsummerfest.com
This World Cancer Day, we recognise the impact that cancer has on individuals, families, and communities — not just medically, but emotionally, socially and practically.
Support comes in many forms: from specialist services and peer groups, to local organisations offering guidance, wellbeing activities and community connection.
It’s a free, searchable directory of local support services across Essex — including cancer support groups, counselling services, wellbeing activities and more — designed to make it easier for people to find the right support at the right time.
🗺️ For residents:
Whether you’re living with cancer, supporting someone who is, or looking for local wellbeing resources, visit www.essexmap.co.ukto explore support near you.
🏢 For organisations:
If your cancer support service or community group isn’t on the Essex Map yet, please consider adding your listing — it’s free and helps people connect with the support they need. Email: communications@essexalliance.org.uk
Support starts with information, connection and community — and no one should have to find their way alone.
